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A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature 1635-1789 by Edward C. Papenfuse, et. al.
Volume 426, Page 357   View pdf image (33K)
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BIOGRAPHIES GOL

versity of Pennsylvania in May 1758, but never
graduated. DAUGHTER: Elizabeth Greenberry (ca.
1731-1820), who married William Ennalls (?-
1785). PRIVATE CAREER. EDUCATION: literate; in a
petition to the Provincial Court he claimed that he
had studied to be a lawyer. RELIGIOUS AFFILIA-
TION. Anglican, St. Peter's Parish, Talbot County.

SOCIAL STATUS AND ACTIVITIES: Gent., 1741;

Esq., 1756. OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE: lawyer, ad-
mitted to the following courts: Talbot County in
August 1728; Somerset County in November
1736; Provincial Court in October 1738; Talbot
County by March 1738/39; Queen Anne's County
in March 1740/41; and Dorchester County by
August 1762. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: In an ef-
fort to resolve the problem the Worcester County
sheriff was having in demanding quitrents on
those lands lying north of a boundary line that
had been run in 1751 from Fen wick's Island be-
tween Maryland and Delaware, Gov. Horatio
Sharpe asked Goldsborough's legal opinion.
Goldsborough replied that he believed those peo-
ple living north of the line were no longer subject
to Maryland laws, nor were they liable to pay
Maryland taxes. PUBLIC CAREER. LEGISLATIVE
SERVICE: Lower House, Dorchester County, 1751-
1754 (Laws 1-6), 1754-1757 (Laws 1-4; Griev-
ances 3), 1758-1761 (Grievances 3, Cv 3), 1762
(appointed to Council before the 2nd session); Up-
per House, 1763 (appointed before the 2nd ses-
sion), 1765-1766. OTHER PROVINCIAL OFFICES:
Council, 1762-1767 (appointed and qualified in
July 1762); commissary general, 1764—1767. LO-
CAL OFFICE: clerk, Dorchester County, 1728-1738
(resigned). ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: A report
from the Lower House Committee of Aggriev-
ances and Courts of Justice in May 1739 stated
that Charles Goldsborough, while he was clerk of
Dorchester County, had demanded recognizances
in large sums from people before he would con-
duct their business in the county courts. The con-
dition of these recognizances required a person to
pay the officer's fees immediately. If they did not,
Goldsborough, who in the meantime had become
a lawyer, obtained judgments against them that
resulted in prison terms for some. The Committee
determined, and the Lower House concurred, that
Goldsborough's methods were illegal. He was rep-
rimanded by the Lower House for his "vexatious,
litigious and crewell" [sic] practices and ordered
to pay the fees arising from the inquiry or be com-
mitted to the sergeant's custody until he complied
with the order. In 1753 Goldsborough intended to
apply for a seat in the Council, but Gov. Sharpe
opposed his appointment. In a letter to Frederick

Calvert, 6th Lord Baltimore, Sharpe stated that
the Goldsborough family had always presented
itself in opposition to the government and that
there was no reason to assume that Charles would
be any different. Sharpe, however, did recommend
him for a seat in the Lower House. He felt Golds-
borough had the "Cunning & Capacity to lead or
impose on some of the Burgesses....." By 1760,
though, Gov. Sharpe had changed his opinion of
Goldsborough, stating that the family had been
misrepresented to him at first and that he now
believed them to be moderate and respectful
towards the government. Sharpe felt Golds-
borough had proven himself a man of ability and
recommended that he be appointed to fill the
Council seat vacated by the death of Benjamin
Tasker, Jr. (1720/21-1760). WEALTH DURING
LIFETIME. PERSONAL PROPERTY: his father be-
queathed Goldsborough and his brother William
Goldsborough (1709-1760) £146.4.6 sterling,
money he had in the hands of Mr. John Hanbury,
merchant, to be divided equally between them.
LAND AT FIRST ELECTION: at least 5,908 acres in
Dorchester County, plus 3 lots in Cambridge,
Dorchester County (263 acres through second
marriage; at least 5,645 acres by purchase and pa-
tent). ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Charles's father
did not leave him any land because, as he stated in
his will, Charles had already been blessed with a
handsome estate. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN

LAND BETWEEN FIRST ELECTION AND DEATH:

Goldsborough patented 2 tracts totalling 4,353
acres in Dorchester County in 1759 and 1760.
These tracts were apparently on the Maryland-
Delaware border, and when the Mason-Dixon line
was drawn in ca. 1764 the land probably became
part of Delaware. Goldsborough purchased or
patented at least 6,875 additional acres in Dor-
chester County and 356 acres in Kent County,
Delaware, and at least 4 lots in Cambridge, Dor-
chester County, between 1752 and 1765. He sold
256 acres in Dorchester County between 1756 and
1764. He received by deed of gift 1 lot in Cam-
bridge, Dorchester County, from his second wife's
father, 1760. Goldsborough stated in his will that
he had already conveyed 600 acres in Dorchester
County to his daughter, but no date was given.
WEALTH AT DEATH. DIED: on July 14, 1767, about
7:00 in the morning, in Dorchester County, of a
"Dropsy." PERSONAL PROPERTY: requested no
appraisal of his estate. LAND: at least 11,927 acres
in Dorchester County, plus at least 7 lots in Cam-
bridge, Dorchester County, and lodgings in An-
napolis; he also owned at least 356 acres in Kent
County, Delaware, and he may have owned 4,353

357



 

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A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature 1635-1789 by Edward C. Papenfuse, et. al.
Volume 426, Page 357   View pdf image (33K)
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