John Gresham (?-1723)
MSA SC 3520-14722
Biography:
A wealthy merchant and planter, John Gresham of Annapolis, sometimes called John Gresham, Esq., was a member of the socially-elite ruling gentry in early-eighteenth century Maryland. He held a number of governmental positions, and received appointments by the governor to patronage positions. His ancestors had been among the earliest settlers in Maryland, dating to the colony's first years. A John Gresham had settled on Kent Island by 1640,1 and was among the "Freemen in Attendance" of the General Assembly during the 1640s.2
Much about Gresham's early life remains unknown, as it occurred in a period when personal and biographical information can be difficult to compile. His father, also named John Gresham, lived in Anne Arundel County for much of his life, in the South River area, and was a prominent land-owner and planter.3 At the time of his death, he owned over 1100 acres, with holdings throughout the state.4 As his son would be, he was among the ruling class of the county, serving as a Justice of the Peace from 1702 to 1709, and was Chief Justice of the county 1703-1705.5 He was also a member of the Vestry at South River [later All Hallows] Parish.6 The elder Gresham had at least two sons, John and Michael. Michael died in September of 1712, while his father died less than a year later, in March, 1713.7
By the time of his father's death, John Gresham was already a wealthy land-owner, merchant, and office-holder. He had been Sheriff of Anne Arundel County twice, from 1701 to 1705, and again from 1708-1711, serving in the same county court which his father presided over, a powerful reminder of the close ties among the ruling gentry in colonial Maryland.8 By the first decade of the 18th century, Gresham also was a merchant, importing goods from England, and doing business with some of Annapolis' most influential citizens.9
Like many of his peers, Gresham held a number of public offices, several of which likely helped him to acquire substantial wealth. A number of these were patronage positions, appointed by the Governor, and used as rewards to bestow on those whom the Governor favored. Gresham was named Examiner General, slightly more than a year before his death.10 The Examiner General was responsible for verifying surveys, and collected generous fees for doing so.11 The next year, Gresham was again named Sheriff.12
A sheriff in colonial Maryland could use his position to either lose or gain a substantial amount of money. As the man responsible for collecting all monies due the Governor, the sheriff often had to put forward his own money, while completing the arduous and difficult task of traveling the county. He was also responsible for paying any under-sheriffs he hired to assist him. However, a man skilled and efficient could generate a notable profit from the fees due him. The sheriff was also responsible for serving court summonses. A sheriff could not serve consecutive terms, but a talented man might be reappointed; Gresham's multiple tenures suggest he that he was indeed skilled at the job.13
In addition to several plantations in Anne Arundel County, Gresham also owned land in Annapolis, and lived for a time near Charles and Cathedral Streets.14 In Annapolis, Gresham played an active role in that city's governance. He was a member of the vestry of St. Anne's Parish, perhaps as early as 1707 until 1713.15 He was selected again in 1717, and served until he was removed in 1721 for poor attendance: "Mr. John Gresham Senr. one of the Gentlemen of the Vestry Seldom giving his attendance at the vestry tho’ often desird to do so, It was putt to the Vote who should Succed him in that office, " noted the Vestry's minutes.16 In addition to his ecclesiastical duties, Gresham was elected as an Alderman of Annapolis at least three times, in 1719, 1721 and 1722.17 He was also served as Mayor, 1717-1718, a position held by many Gresham's peers in Annapolis society.18
Although little is known of Gresham's governance or political views, he was involved in a controversy, and was accused of seditious speech. Evidently, after a session of meeting of the Mayor's Court in January, 1719, Gresham raised the idea that the people of Maryland were subjects of the colony's proprietor, Lord Baltimore, rather than of the King of England. The details of the controversy are murky--little record of it remains beyond three depositions --although Gresham was exonerated, after maintaining he was only relating ideas "from an Author that he had read."19 The incident occurred at a time of political discord in Maryland over the status of the proprietary government, and may have been the product of the era's political tensions.
Gresham married his wife Sarah by at least 1699.20 She may have been from England; her parents lived there, and her dowry included land in Kent, at Northfleet and Gravesend.21 Her parents both died around 1719.22 John and Sarah had seven children, the first of whom, John, was born in 1699 and died in August or September, 1700.23 However, their six other children all survived until adulthood. Priscilla, born in 1702, and John, born c. 1703, were both educated in England for a time, possibly from about 1713 until 1720, according to family correspondence.24 Priscilla married a member of the prominent Dulaney family by 1734, and John became a prominent officeholder in his own right, serving in the General Assembly from 1742-1748.25 John served in the legislature with his brother Richard, who was born January 28, 1704.26 John also headed his father's merchant trade until his death in 1752, at which time Richard took over.27 Richard died in 1773.28
The Greshams had three other children: Thomas, who was probably born in 1705, died in 1731/2;29 Sarah, who was born April 4, 1709, and married Solomon Wooden on August 17, 1726;30 and Elizabeth, who was born in 1710, and married Jacob Jones in 1728.31 Sarah herself died in August, 1756, in Annapolis.32
John Gresham died on December 24, 1723, a "Sick and Weak" man.33 He left the bulk of his land to his eldest son John, as was usually the case, and asked that his son be allowed to finished his term as sheriff; John was Sheriff of Anne Arundel County 1725-1726, and later held the same position in Kent County.34 In his will, Gresham also spoke of "My good friends Benjamin Tasker and Charles Carroll," who were two of the most influential and well connected men in the province.35 At the time of his death, Gresham owned about 4700 acres which, although far smaller than the largest estates, represented fairly substantial holdings. Gresham's personal property, including his crops, livestock, and merchandise and 38 slaves and indentured servants, was valued at about £2500.36
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