d. Naval Officer of Annapolis.

1. Capt. Richard Hill of Anne Arundel County (Prot.), com. by Gov.
Nicholson 18 Oct. 1694; dismissed 20 July 1696 (AM, XX, 160, 471).

2. Henry Denton of Annapolis (Prot.), succeeded Hill; gave bond 10

Oct. 1696 (AM, XIX, 470; XX, 525); died in April, 1698.

3. Edward Batson of Calvert County (Prot.), com. and sworn 30 June
1698 (AM, XXIII, 437); resigned shortly thereafter.

4. Col. William Bladen of Annapolis (Prot., wife Cath,), com. 2S March
1698/9 (AM, XXV, 71) resigned in favor of Steele just before his death.

5. John Steele of Annapolis (Prot.). By act of 10 May 1718 Steele was
exempted from a law requiring three years prior residence for office holders,

because he had been recommended to Lt. Gov. Hart "by Gentm of worth and
Honour who by their Stations under his most Sacred Majesty are in a Capacity
of doing particular Services to this province. . . ." He was then ap-
pointed to this Naval Office (AM, XXXVIII, 282; XXIII, 153), but he resigned
or died within a year.

6. Benjamin Tasker, Sr. of Annapolis (Prot., wife's mother Cath., son-
in-law of William Bladen above), succeeded Steele prior to 23 May 1719 (AM,

XLII, 40); recom. 25 July 1733; resigned in favor of his son in September,
1742.

7. Col. Benjamin Tasker, Jr. of Annapolis (Prot.), com. 29 Sept. 1742
(Commission Book No. 82, f. 95); resigned to be Deputy Secretary in December,

1755.

-75-