Samuel Galloway III
(b. 1720 - d. 1785)
MSA SC 3520-15910
Property Owner and Merchant, Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Biography:
Samuel Galloway III was born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland on May 23, 1720. 1 His parents were John and Mary (nee Thomas) Galloway. 2 He was a wealthy planter, merchant, and slave trader around London Town. His family held several tracts of land along South and West Rivers. The Galloway family first entered Maryland in 1649, with Richard being the first. 3 He had two sons, Richard II and Samuel. 4 Samuel Galloway I was born in 1659. 5 He was married first to Elizabeth Coale, then to Anne Webb in 1689. 6 Samuel Galloway II was presumably born circa 1680s because the third child of Samuel Galloway I, John was born in 1693. 7
West River was home to the Galloway family, but the family was also connected to London Town through the ownership of several tracts of land. Samuel Galloway III inherited much of the land from his family. Shortly after beginning construction of his home, Tulip Hill, in 1756, Samuel sold a lot in London Town. 8 That lot was sold in 1758 to William Brown, a prominent figure within London Town. 9 After paying the sum of ten pounds sterling to Galloway, Brown became the owner of Lot 69 in London Town and their land transaction was complete. 10 Besides Tulip Hill, Galloway also owned "Ridge Plantation" and "Neck Plantation." 11
Samuel Galloway married Anne Chew, his first cousin. 12 Samuel and Anne had five children: Mary (b. October 29, 1746)13 John (b. September 5, 1748)14, Samuel IV (b. March 28, 1751)15, Benjamin (b. December 22, 1752)16, and Anne (February 14, 1755)17. In the December 23, 1756 issue of the Maryland Gazette, it states that Anne died while "in Child-Bed, at West-River." 18 She was known as "a Gentlewoman possess'd of every virtuous and amiable quality." 19 After her death, Samuel did not appear to marry again.
As a slave trader, Samuel Galloway was able to further substantiate his wealth and status within Anne Arundel County. In the Maryland Gazette on July 17, 1760, Galloway, along with Thomas Ringgold, advertised the selling of "choice healthy SLAVES, consisting of Men, Women, Boys and Girls." 20 The slaves were imported directly "from the Coast of Angola, in the Ship Jenny" and were to be sold at South River Ferry. 21
Slaves made up 52% of Samuel Galloway III's estate, according to his inventory. 22 He owned a total of 87 slaves, making him a large slave owner. According to his inventory, Tulip Hill consisted of 21 slaves and 7 house servants, Neck Plantation had 21 slaves, Ridge Plantation had 24 slaves, and the shipyard had 9 slaves. 23 Samuel Galloway also acquired six slaves and various cattle from Samuel Foard, shipwright, on January 15, 1754, according to the land records. 24 Galloway received "one Negro Man called Peter, one Negro Man called Cesar, one Negro Woman called Dinah, one Negro Woman called Mariah, one Negro Boy called James, and one Negro boy called Peter" for the sum of £248.12.4 (the cattle was also included in the price). 25 His inventory shows that on Neck Plantation, a slave named Darby who was 65 years old and valued at £3.0.0 was listed as a "run away." 26
There was also a property transaction involving Samuel Galloway and Stephen Steward (who appears to be a business partner of Galloway's) on November 7, 1760. 27 Richard Wells of Anne Arundel County sold Galloway and Steward three negroes for the sum of£103.7.4. 28 The three negroes were: "one negro man named Titus, one negro boy named Toby, and one negro girl named Nell." 29
At the age of 26, Galloway placed a runaway advertisement in the Virginia Gazette on September 4, 1746. 30 Galloway's slave, Dolphin, and another unknown negro were thought to have fled together. 31 Dolphin was considered by Galloway to be a "lusty, well-set, thick Fellow, about 32 Years of Age." 32 Galloway was under the impression that Dolphin "went away in Company with another Negroe, from whom he parted near Niabsco Iron-Works, in Prince William County." 33
Aside from being a merchant and slave owner, Samuel Galloway was avidly involved with horses. Between his three plantations, Galloway owned nearly 30 horses. 34 According to a Maryland Gazette advertisement, Samuel Galloway was a member and steward in the Jockey Club. 35 He also owned a race horse named Selim, which was one of the best of his time. 36 Galloway was active in horse racing up until his death.
Before the American Revolution took place, Samuel's son, John, wrote a letter to his father outlining the burning of the brig "Peggy Stewart." John goes into great detail about the momentous event, which he repudiated. John writes "I went to Annapolis yesterday to see my Liberty destroyed which was done when fire was put to the brig." 37 The letter continues, "If this is Liberty, If this is Justice, they certainly must have found a new code of Laws on Elk Ridge." 38 From this letter, John Galloway is perturbed by the mob action being displayed. In another letter to his father in October 1774, John writes, "this is liberty with a vengeance." 39 It's clear from John's letters that he and his father supported British loyalty.
In his will, he bequeathed to his daughter Mary "50 Guineas," which should serve as the basis for the purchase of a tract of land of her choice. 40 He bequeathed to his son Benjamin all the land by the name of "White Plains" or "Taylor's Settlement" to him and his heirs forever. 41 Next, he bequeathed to his daughter Anne Cheston and her heirs forever "all those tracts of land, which I purchase of John Watkins lying between West River and Rhode River commonly known by the name of Watkins Neck." 42 Finally, Samuel bequeathed to his son, John, "the remaining real estate I shall die possessed of." 43 John Galloway and his son in law, James Cheston were also made executors of his last will and testament. 44 Samuel Galloway completed and signed his last will and testament on October 28, 1785. 45
According to a Maryland Gazette advertisement posted by John Galloway and James Cheston, they are calling for all persons who have claims against the estate of "the late Samuel Galloway, deceased" to bring them in "properly proved." 46 In addition, "those indebted to it (his estate) are requested to make immediate payment" to Galloway and Cheston. 47 Samuel Galloway's death likely occurred in late October or early November because the advertisement was dated November 16, 1785. Both John and James also posted an advertisement stating that on December 15, 1785 there would be a sale consisting of "a number of horses, mares, colts, and fillies" at Tulip Hill. 48
An inventory taken for Samuel Galloway III on February 4, 1786 amounted to £5052.5.11. 49 Not only did Galloway have a substantial amount of wealth in real estate, but also in personal property. Samuel Galloway was buried in the family burial ground, along with his wife Anne, situated "immediately south of the house." 50
Endnotes:
1. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Adelaide Colhoun Collection) 1744-1796, Ledger, Samuel Galloway, MSA SC 633, Microfilm Number 883.Return to Samuel Galloway's Introductory Page
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