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of his business operations, however, was directed
to the Susquehanna River area, where he entered
into the iron-smelting and cannon-casting business
on the old Principio Ironworks property. He
named his business the Cecil Furnace, one of sev-
eral iron-making ventures he had in Cecil County.
Another was a partnership with John Churchman
in a forge on Octorara Creek (later known as
Prey's Forge). Cecil Furnace was his chief interest,
however; in 1796 Samuel secured a contract with
the government to produce cannon for new frig-
ates. His iron operations in Cecil County were
generally successful until the War of 1812, when
the Cecil Furnace was attacked by Admiral Cock-
burn. The buildings and facilities were burned and
the cannon on hand were destroyed. Samuel re-
built, but it was a financial strain and the business
suffered. He mortgaged and then sold the Cecil
Furnace to two Baltimore merchants, Robert Gil-
more and Robert Smith in 1820 to discharge debts
totaling $39,081.50. Hughes was also involved in
land speculation, specifically as a partner in the
Havre de Grace Company, which was formed in
1797 to acquire land adjacent to Havre de Grace.
PUBLIC CAREER. LEGISLATIVE SERVICE: Conven-
tion, Frederick County, 9th, 1776; Lower House,
Washington County, 1777 (Manufactories 2),
1777-1778 (Manufactories 3), 1778-1779 (Tax
Commissioners 1; Claims 3); Senate, Western
Shore, Term of 1776-1781: 1781 (elected on Janu-
ary 2, 1781 to fill vacancy in the 1780-1781 As-
sembly; qualified on January 12, 1781), Term of
1781-1786: 1783 (elected on May 9, 1783 to fill
vacancy in the 1782-1783 Assembly; qualified on
May 23, 1783), 1783, 1784, 1785, Term of 1786-
1791: 1786-1787 (elected on December 2, 1786 to
fill vacancy; qualified on December 12, 1786),
1787-1788, 1788, 1789, 1790. LOCAL OFFICES:
Committee of Observation, Frederick County,
elected 1774 and 1775; justice, Washington
County, 1777-at least 1778 (moved to Baltimore
County), Harford County, 1782-at least 1797;
justice, Orphans' Court, Washington County,
1777-at least 1778 (moved to Baltimore County),
Harford County, commissioned 1784; town com-
missioner, Havre de Grace, Harford County, 1785;
judge, Court of Appeals for Tax Assessment, Har-
ford County, appointed 1786; associate justice,
Circuit Court, Harford County, appointed 1789.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: The Washington County
clerk's reference to Hughes having moved to
Baltimore County was not substantiated by land-
ownership. JURY SERVICE: petit jury, Harford
County, term began in 1801. MILITARY SERVICE:
colonel. WEALTH DURING LIFETIME. PERSONAL
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PROPERTY: assessed value £864.0.0, including 15
slaves and 30 oz. plate, Harford County, 1783; 13
slaves, 1790. LAND AT FIRST ELECTION: 1,138
acres in Frederick, Baltimore (later became Har-
ford County), and Washington counties. SIGNIFI-
CANT CHANGES IN LAND BETWEEN FIRST ELEC-
TION AND DEATH: purchased 6,038 acres in
Washington and Harford counties and sold 4,351
acres in Washington and Harford counties, 1779-
1813; acquired 200 lots near Havre de Grace, Har-
ford County, upon the dissolution of the Havre de
Grace Company, of which he was entitled to seven
thirty-seconds share of the capital stock, 1806.
Patented and acquired by purchase or mortgage at
least 4,717 acres in Cecil County, by 1799-1816.
Sold this land and the ironworks located on it in
1820. WEALTH AT DEATH. Size of estate unknown.
HUGHLETT, THOMAS (ca. 1739-ca. 1803).
BORN: ca. 1739, probably in Virginia; only son.
NATIVE: second generation. ADDITIONAL COM-
MENTS: immigrated ca. 1749 as a minor with his
father from St. Stephen's Parish, Northumberland
County, Virginia. RESIDED: in Queen Anne's
County (later became part of Caroline County);
Choptank Hundred, Caroline County, 1778. FAM-
ILY BACKGROUND. FATHER: William Hughlett (?-
1771), immigrated ca. 1749 from Virginia; resided
in Queen Anne's County; merchant; planter.
MOTHER: Mary. SISTERS: Anne, who married in
1758 William Harrington (1737-?); Mary, who
married (first name unknown) Harrington; and
Winefred, who married Cooper Kendardine. MAR-
RIED by 1767 Sarah (ca. 1748-1772), daughter of
Obediah Dixon (ca. 1709-1780), of Dorchester
and Caroline counties, planter, and wife Sarah.
Her brothers were Robert; Benjamin; and Joseph.
Her sisters were Martha; Rebecca; and China,
who married (first name unknown) Dill. MARRIED
second, in January 1778 Rebeckah, daughter of
Richard Mason (?-ca. 1782). Her brother was
Thomas. Her sisters were Sarah; Margaret. CHIL-
DREN. SONS: William (1769-?), who was elected to
the Maryland Senate in 1816 and married
Elizabeth S. (ca. 1774-1810); Richard (ca. 1782-
1827), who married Anna. DAUGHTERS: Mary (ca.
1767-?), who married Charles Adams; Ann (?-
1806), who married Dr. Timothy Caldwell. PRI-
VATE CAREER. EDUCATION: literate. RELIGIOUS
AFFILIATION: Anglican, St. John's Parish, Caroline
County. SOCIAL STATUS AND ACTIVITIES: Gent.,
1793; Esq., 1797. OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE:
farmer, 1778; in partnership with his son Richard
in a tannery, Caroline County; probably also a
merchant in partnership with his son Richard;
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